Volunteer organizers needed to keep Terrebonne beautiful

Published: Monday, January 28, 2013 at 5:40 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 28, 2013 at 5:40 p.m.

At least nine volunteers are needed to help organize routine trash clean-ups in their respective communities.

Keep Terrebonne Beautiful, a nonprofit group dedicated to clearing litter and improving the look of the parish, is holding a recruitment meeting next week.

It’s set for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Business First Bank, 435 Corporate Drive, Houma. The goal is to get at least one volunteer organizer from each of the parish’s nine council districts to serve on the group’s board.

Wendy Billiot, executive director of Keep Terrebonne Beautiful, is trying to revitalize the group, which has seen a decline in activity due to the dwindling number of board members. The group had been listed as temporarily inactive by its corporate affiliate, Keep America Beautiful, but has since renewed its membership.

Billiot said she would like to keep that progress going.

Having board members overseeing each area of the parish is key the group’s success, she said.

“I’m asking people who really hate litter to take one small step in their community,” Billiot said.

Billiot wants Keep Terrebonne Beautiful to clean and beautify assigned sites throughout the year. For example, board members can adopt a park or roadside ditches in their respective districts and keep those clear of litter, plant flowers and do similar upkeep.

Terrebonne Parish Council Chairwoman Beryl Amedée said the organization is needed to help maintain clean environments year round.

Once an area is clean, residents tend to want to keep it that way and would likely think twice before trashing it, she added.

“We need to have an organization made up of people who have a desire to see Terrebonne put its best face forward,” Amedée said. “It’s embarrassing when we have visitors, and they comment on how dirty the area looks.”

The organization has never had a large general membership, but Billiot hopes to change that.

“We would really like more involvement throughout the parish, and getting a person from each district is a good place to start,” she said.

Billiot said a littered landscape can hamper tourism and economic development.

“When you get people together from all the communities, you foster a stewardship of what you have,” she said. “It’s about taking pride in your neighborhood — taking what you have and setting a good example.”

The group’s next project is the Bayou Dularge Trash Bash, which is set for 8 a.m. March 16 at Jug’s Seafood launch, 3282 Bayou Dularge Road.

Participants can launch their own boat or ride with others to help clean the bayou’s banks.

Door prizes and a free meal will be given at the end of the cleanup.

For information on how to submit your name for board membership or get involved in other ways, contact Billiot at 851-7578.

<p>At least nine volunteers are needed to help organize routine trash clean-ups in their respective communities.</p><p>Keep Terrebonne Beautiful, a nonprofit group dedicated to clearing litter and improving the look of the parish, is holding a recruitment meeting next week.</p><p>It's set for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Business First Bank, 435 Corporate Drive, Houma. The goal is to get at least one volunteer organizer from each of the parish's nine council districts to serve on the group's board.</p><p>Wendy Billiot, executive director of Keep Terrebonne Beautiful, is trying to revitalize the group, which has seen a decline in activity due to the dwindling number of board members. The group had been listed as temporarily inactive by its corporate affiliate, Keep America Beautiful, but has since renewed its membership.</p><p>Billiot said she would like to keep that progress going.</p><p>Having board members overseeing each area of the parish is key the group's success, she said. </p><p>“I'm asking people who really hate litter to take one small step in their community,” Billiot said.</p><p>Billiot wants Keep Terrebonne Beautiful to clean and beautify assigned sites throughout the year. For example, board members can adopt a park or roadside ditches in their respective districts and keep those clear of litter, plant flowers and do similar upkeep.</p><p>Terrebonne Parish Council Chairwoman Beryl Amedée said the organization is needed to help maintain clean environments year round. </p><p>Once an area is clean, residents tend to want to keep it that way and would likely think twice before trashing it, she added. </p><p>“We need to have an organization made up of people who have a desire to see Terrebonne put its best face forward,” Amedée said. “It's embarrassing when we have visitors, and they comment on how dirty the area looks.”</p><p>The organization has never had a large general membership, but Billiot hopes to change that.</p><p>“We would really like more involvement throughout the parish, and getting a person from each district is a good place to start,” she said. </p><p>Billiot said a littered landscape can hamper tourism and economic development. </p><p>“When you get people together from all the communities, you foster a stewardship of what you have,” she said. “It's about taking pride in your neighborhood — taking what you have and setting a good example.”</p><p>The group's next project is the Bayou Dularge Trash Bash, which is set for 8 a.m. March 16 at Jug's Seafood launch, 3282 Bayou Dularge Road. </p><p>Participants can launch their own boat or ride with others to help clean the bayou's banks. </p><p>Door prizes and a free meal will be given at the end of the cleanup. </p><p>For information on how to submit your name for board membership or get involved in other ways, contact Billiot at 851-7578.</p>